July 15th 2024
IT looks like it is going to be third time lucky for Nairn County’s away fixture at Fort William this evening with the twice-postponed match at Claggan Park set to go ahead. The visitors went out of the Highland League (Morganti) Cup at the weekend after a narrow 4-3 home defeat at home to Fraserburgh. After a hard-working shift against the Broch, the County players will need to pick themselves up and go again as they return to league action with a tricky away assignment down the A82. The Fort were beaten at home by Buckie Thistle on Saturday but they will take encouragement from a recent home draw with Clachnacuddin which followed shortly after a narrow home defeat to Lossiemouth, where the Moray men needed a last-gasp goal to take home all three points. Paul MacLellan and Ali Smith’s men have games in hand on all the clubs above them and will be looking to take advantage of those to put some more points on the board and begin to narrow the gap to the club immediately above them in the standings, Strathspey Thistle. You can follow live updates from the match on the club’s official social media channels facebook.com/nairncountyfc and @NairnCounty on Twitter where you will find team lines before kick-off, coverage of all the major talking points as the match progresses, a report on the final whistle and reaction from Nairn boss Ronnie Sharp tomorrow. Also, do not forget to follow the club’s Instagram page @nairncountyfc for everything behind-the-scenes at Station Park. A preview of tonight’s match is below: Date: Wednesday February 14th 2018 Competition: Scottish Highland Football League Kick-off: 2000 Opponents: Fort William Manager: Paul MacLellan and Ali Smith Venue: Claggan Park, Fort William Previous meeting: Nairn County 5 Fort William 0 March 11th 2017 Last time out: Fort William 0 Buckie Thistle 7; Nairn County 3 Fraserburgh 4 League position: Fort William 18th Nairn County 12th Form guides: Fort William LLLDLL Nairn County WWWWLL Team news: Jordan MacRae returns to the squad for this trip to Lochaber having been suspended for Saturday’s Highland League (Morganti) Cup quarter final clash with Fraserburgh while Tom Maclennan also comes into contention for a debut after being cup tied for that weekend match and coming through 45 minutes for the under-20s on Monday night. Both Kenny McKenzie and Dylan Maclean are struggling with knocks while Adam Naismith (work), Callum Ednie (hamstring), Jack Maclean (calf) and Gregg Main (knee) are ruled out but goalkeeper Ryan Macleod comes back into contention. Craig Munro and Matty Macleod are both on loan to Inverness City. One to watch: John Treasurer. The striker will pose a goal threat for the hosts in this one as they aim for an end-of-season push to collect enough points to begin reeling in Strathspey Thistle, Keith and Lossiemouth in the places above them. The recent resurgence of the Grantown Jags has the Fort beginning to look isolated at the foot of the table with Thistle now with in a point of Keith and four of Lossiemouth, leaving Paul MacLellan and Ali Smith’s men eight adrift at the bottom. Treasurer’s attacking prowess will be one of the Fort’s main tools this evening as they look to add some more points to their tally. Match officials: Referee Billy Baxter, Assistants Gavin Dearie and Gordon Seago. Weather forecast: Light cloud and breezy 8 degrees 17 mph wind. Admission prices: Adults £8 Concessions £5 (two children under the age of 14 are admitted for free if they are accompanied by a paying adult). Graeme Macleod
